Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Maybe I'm wrong but I think it's been the die hards like us that have been keeping the place going. When I 1st went to Boro and for several years after, I used to come on what is now called 'Invasion week'. The place used to be absolutely mobbed, not just one bar but all of them, gradually it got quieter. I mean even the Dutch stopped doing holidays there.

My circumstances changed and I switched weeks to 1/2 term and whilst busy, obviously more families so the resort in the evenings was quieter. I did notice though that the large groups of Irish that I used to see gradually dried up. Then Inghams dropped one of their kids ski clubs, then they stopped offering ski holidays to Boro. 1/2 term week has been getting quieter and quieter too.

I used to ski with people out of the Samokov hotel and they used to have so many instructors, now, not so many. Obviously this period has seen the rise of places like Hunters but it's obvious that overall the numbers are dwindling.

Unfortunately global weather patterns have changed also and I've noticed (other than a couple of seasons ago) that conditions generally in Borovets have not been so kind to us than they were when I 1st came.

I don't know if the people that run it were still holding out for French or Arab investment but it didn't come and I fear they've left it too late.

One thing that amazes me though over this period is the money that must have flowed from somewhere into BG. Look at Sofia International airport now from 10 years ago and look at the billions of Euros that must have gone into building all those new office blocks in Sofia. Shame that just a few million could not have been diverted.

Anyway I've still got my holiday to look forward to and i'll be damned if I'm not going to enjoy it. A couple of degrees cooler than forecast and all that rain might turn into a couple of feet of snow. Bring it on!

Very interesting reading this thread given the pedigree of the posters. We have been to Boro first week of March the last 3 years and had a great time. This year we are having a change in Austria. We are very lucky since it is more expensive than Bulgaria and much of the holiday is being paid for by in-laws after a windfall but I fully expect to be back next year.

The difference will be that we shall have to make a choice on half term or taking hit on fines on 2 kids being out of school. Personally I love Boro but now the kids are improving with their skiing would love to have a larger area or at least one that is not so affected by poor snow conditions.

It is illogical to assume that a bad year this year foretells the future, just as much as the awesome conditions a couple of years ago is no indicator of future performance. Having said that my tracking of conditions over 4 years now suggests that December and Jan can be hit and miss, Feb (esp later) and March (early ideally) is typically fine. This says to me that far more should be done to make things much more snow sure across larger areas. The administrators of the resort who have fair more experience than me should consider this a no brainer.

I would love to know what Borosport's plans are. Is it just harder to make thing happen than we mere mortals assume? Are they suffering from complacency or is it circumstances beyond their control that are preventing more rapid development? My main concern is that I fear Boro will become more expensive regardless of infrastructure investment over the next few years and lose the one major, major selling point for people like me - excellent value for money. As soon as it becomes pretty much the same price to go to France or Italy as Bulgaria then people will vote with their feet.

jez

I have to agree with all comments, I have been coming for four years and apart from some small changes, it remains stagnant in investment terms. Borosport must invest in snow cannons and open up large areas to the beginners and low intermediate skiers who were sadly left queuing for up to an hour on crowded nursery slopes and then taken onto runs they were not capable of skiing. There are so many things about Borovets that are great and make you want to come back, but most people want to ski or board, you only have to look to Bansko and Pamporova who with similar snow fall but significantly more snow cannon coverage have given there holiday makers a significantly better skiing and boarding experience by all accounts. Hopefully rumours of snow cannons will come true, with the possibility of significant investment on the Rila Destinations project, if Borosports do little then the decline in visitor numbers will continue. It is the punters and small business owners I feel sorry for. Come on Borosports pull your finger out!! I only wish they would read the comments made previously!!

I did still have a great time and will be there again on the 22nd March, skiing may be limited but Yastrebets and the Rila reds were still great fun. I wish all those going out over the next few weeks a great holiday. It is always what you make it!!

John, Cheryl and James

Unfortunately we are competing with something that is engrained in Bulgaria, the Bulgarian business ethic Sadly that is to milk any business until it bleeds and ultimately dies..... We have a joke for their attempts, business plans run till midday, longterm plans till 5pm.... I know this is very sweeping, but im afraid it does apply to many businesses in Bulgaria... Borosport has basically pulled all its profits every year and put them in directors pockets, to maintain their lavish lifestyle. Little or nothing has been reinvested to allow for improvements, and definitely no thoughts of maintaining or increasing tourist numbers, their conclusion that there is a never ending line of tourists ready to part with their money and that any complaints would be swamped by the new tourists arriving.... The same applied to UK tourist destinations, i lived in one all my life, and my hometown died on its feet, being unable to recover once all the mistakes were realised to late. We accept that a business needs to make money to survive, but in order to survive it must do more. It must react to changes, keep itself fresh, maintain good tourist links and respond to criticism either in defence of their decisions, or accept their failings and work towards a solution. Unfortunately BG business does not accept criticism, Ulens reaction to a recent rumour of the resort closing was a display more akin to a 5 year old throwing their toys out of the pram, than an international business who should have simply refuted the claims and assured visitors that it was misleading...
Right, that's the negative... but what can be done ? I think Pamporovo's example should benefit, new ownership, and forward thinking.. big investment and hopefully ongoing confidence. It has already been reflected in more visitors, after many years of falling numbers, hopefully more opportunities for local business and additional employment... Perhaps this is the first year i can remember where people have been saying 'the snow in Pamps is the best in BG' and that is purely down to the massive investment in snow cannons, and the work of the Pamps pisteurs... Maybe this is what Borovets needs, a benefactor, mega rich, but business savvy, with an eye on the long term It has been highlighted by the BG prime-minister that BG could support 2 million winter visitors but even he accepts that the infrastructure needs to improve, and the associated businesses need to embrace a more western ethos, long term growth and investment, over short term profits. Approximately 650,000 winter visitors annually at the moment, this figure will fall unless something is done..... unfortunately we have a fly in the ointment, and one that could allow for the same to continue, the quickly rising number of Turkish visitors, will this be the next stream of naive tourists to be led to the slaughter ?


As a footnote..... there is always the consideration that if we were looking at the best snow season ever on record ? perhaps peoples thoughts might be a little different